The Darling Downs Express Transport Demons under 14 squad returned Sunday night after a winless 2011 South Country Championships. Though going through the carnival winless would seem a unsuccessful campaign to all but to the coaching staff of the representative side the championships were a success as the entire playing group came back better footballers and most importantly better people.
‘’Over the course of the three days the players built character, pride and leadership so quickly, it was astonishing to see,’’ said Development Officer Jeff Neumann on the teams return to Toowoomba on Sunday.
“Even though we didn’t quite get the results on the scoreboard, we went forward in leaps and bounds for the region in player development and that is something we focus on a-lot with the regional sides”, explained Neumann and also added, “Though results would of been fantastic, I can see Demons having a long and respected tradition for years to come now.”
The Demons were unlucky not to come away with the South Country Championship title, but it was the Darling Downs lack of first half intensity that was their worse opponent in the end.
Third and fourth quarter domination by the Demons was not enough as the Northern Rivers Storm ran out 29point victors of the Darling Downs in game 1 at Fripp Oval. Four goals in the 2nd and 3rd terms helped the Northern Rivers region record a 9.9 (63) to 5.4 (34) win. Downs midfield Will Krause opened the scoring for the Demons in the first quarter slotting a 30metre goal on the run as the Storm had 5 scoring shots to 1 opening term. Northern Rivers kept DD in the contest with their woeful kicking in front of goal as the Demons only trailed by 4 points at the minor break.
Four goals to the hard running NR side and only one goal to DD saw that margin stretch out further into the main break. Sam Flannery, Sam Copland and Luke Murphy were outstanding along with Will Krause and Brock Dignan as the Demons started to stem the flow of Storm attacking raids. A Blistering opening 5minutes of the third quarter had the game in the Northern Rivers hands as Riley Easton and Brock Dignan stood up in defence to repel a number of attacks and rebound the football back through Krause and Flannery.
The Demons took honours in the last quarter as they kept the Storm outfit scoreless as Kennedy and Murphy slotted their first majors for the game in perfect conditions in Ballina. Northern Rivers held onto a 9.9 (63) to 5.4 (34) win over the Demons.
Game 1 v NR
Best: Will Krause, Sam Flannery, Sam Copland, Luke Murphy, Riley Easton, Brock Dignan
Goals: Will Krause, Jarrod Iacono, Dan Glasby, Jackson Kennedy, Luke Murphy
The height of the Wide Bay Tigers intimidated the young Demons as Wide Bay comfortable accounted for a late finishing DD side.
Jarod Iacono kicked the first goal of the game for the Downs but the Tigers bigger bodies were too physical as the Tigers stormed home with three late first quarter goals to take a 13 point lead into the first break. Wide Bay continued from where they finished in the first quarter booting five unanswered goals in the space of seven minutes to have the Demons on the back foot. Ruckman Sam Flannery stood up as he solely lifted the Demons with his contested and 2nd / 3rd effort football as the Demons were able to goal through smart forward Jackson Kennedy.
After the main break the Demons played a more physical game as Scott Baker, Riley Easton, Josh Adams along with Josh White and Brock Dignan stood tall and played exciting running football and took the honours in the third quarter. The Demons kicked goals through Josh Adams, Ben Norley and Scott Baker. An inspired Demons outfit returned to the field for the last quarter and again played a physical running style of football that saw the Demons win the fourth term with 2 goals to 1. Tigers taking the win 11.8 (74) to 7.2 (44)
Game 2 v WB
Best: Sam Flannery, Scott Baker, Riley Easton, Josh Adams, Josh White, Brock Dignan
Goals: Josh Adams 2, Jarrod Iacono, Jackson Kennedy, Ben Norley, Scott Baker, Sam Flannery
At the conclusion of day 1 AFL Development Staff Rob Searle (Wide Bay), Brent Kelly (Northern Rivers), Troy Clarke (Gold Coast) and Jeff Neumann (Darling Downs) selected and named a 24-player All-Star squad to take on the Gold Coast Stingrays. Seven Darling Downs players were selected and they were; Sam Flannery, Will Krause, Riley Easton, Brock Dignan, Sam Copland, Scott Baker and Peter Rose. The All-Star team went down to the Gold Coast Stingrays 12.4 (82) to 7.8 (50).
Players that did not make the All-Star team played in the Southern Country Team which took on the Ballina Bombers under 15 club side. The Bombers were able to fly up over South Country by 24 points in pouring rain, Final score: South Country 8.3 (51) def. By Ballina Bombers 11.9 (75)
Congratulations to all players on a fantastic carnival and a big thank you to Shaun Reardon, Wayne Waltisbuhl, Tasman Myles and Sharyn Carnahan for helping throughout the under 14 representative program.
Individual Awards
Coaches Award: Sam Flannery
Players Player: Will Krause
Hard Nut: Riley Easton
Best on grounds: Will Krause (v NR), Sam Flannery (v WB) & Scott Baker (Day 2)
Demons goal kicking ladder for Championships
Josh Adams 2
Jackson Kennedy 2
Jarod Iacono 2
Will Krause 1
Dan Glasby 1
Luke Murphy 1
Scott Baker 1
Sam Flannery 1
The thoughts in this article are those of the author and not necessarily the Darling Downs Demons or AFL Darling Downs
Last Modified on 01/07/2011 16:00
